The Housemaid is officially getting a stage adaptation after becoming one of the biggest surprise hits of the year. Following the massive global success of the Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried thriller, Lionsgate has announced plans to turn the psychological drama into a live theater production. The film, based on the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden, earned over $400 million worldwide despite having a production budget of just $35 million, making it one of Lionsgate’s most profitable recent releases.
Now the studio is expanding the franchise beyond film and books.
The stage version is being developed by British production company Melting Pot, led by producers Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska, alongside playwright Bekah Brunstetter, who previously worked on the Broadway adaptation of The Notebook.
The original story follows a young woman with a troubled past who takes a job as a live-in maid for a wealthy family, only to discover that their seemingly perfect life hides dark secrets and dangerous manipulation.
According to Lionsgate, the story’s claustrophobic setting, emotional tension and constant twists make it a natural fit for the stage.
Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s president of global products and experiences, said the thriller contains “all the elements for a successful stage adaptation,” including compelling characters and suspenseful storytelling.
Producer Simon Friend also explained why the team believes the story will work so well in a theatrical environment.
“When I first read The Housemaid, it was exhilarating,” Friend said. “The twisty elements naturally lend themselves to the stage.”
The stage announcement comes as Lionsgate continues expanding The Housemaid into a full franchise. A sequel film titled The Housemaid’s Secret is already in development and is expected to begin production later this year ahead of its planned December 2027 theatrical release.
The first film became a breakout success largely due to its mix of psychological suspense, campy moments and shocking jump scares that audiences loved experiencing in packed theaters.
Director Paul Feig helped turn the adaptation into a crowd-pleasing thriller that exploded online after release, especially among younger audiences already familiar with the bestselling novel.
Lionsgate has recently been leaning heavily into adapting its film properties for live audiences. The studio is also developing stage versions of La La Land, Dirty Dancing and Wonder, while a live adaptation of The Hunger Games is already running in London’s West End.
With a sequel film on the way and now a stage production in development, The Housemaid is quickly becoming one of Lionsgate’s fastest-growing modern franchises.